Protective barrier for furniture

ABSTRACT

Two overlapping panels, each in an inverted L-shape comprises a protective barrier for furniture. The front panel and the rear panel are secured together with two or more posts, extending from the vertical panel of the front panel through a horizontal slot in the rear panel. The overall length of the barrier is adjusted by sliding the posts in the slot. The upper horizontal panel of each panel may be secured to the furniture with double-sided adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastener strips, or other fasteners which are provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/135,168, filed Mar. 19, 2015, which is hereby incorporated byreference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to furniture accessories and inparticular to a protective barrier for furniture. Certain types offurniture, such as sofas, ottomans, beds, and armchairs, leave asignificant amount of space between the main frame and the floor. Legsextend downward from the corners of the furniture frame to the floor,defining the dimensions of this space. Clutter tends to accumulate inthis space. The toys of pets and children frequently roll into thisspace, and the pets and children often crawl in after them.Additionally, smaller pets, infants and toddlers may crawl beneath thefurniture into this space even if they are not retrieving a lost toy,whether they are hiding or simply playing. This creates the risk ofserious injury if an adult or older child is unaware of their presenceand sits down on the furniture, causing the padding and springs to flexdownward a significant distance and abruptly constricting the spacebeneath the furniture. Furthermore, some owners may choose to use thisspace for the storage of personal items, and may desire to protect theirprivacy. Unless the furniture has skirting or some other attachmentwhich extends to the floor all around, other persons can easily seeitems stored beneath the furniture.

A search of the prior art reveals various attachments which have beendeveloped to enclose the space beneath the furniture. None are closelyrelated to the present invention, but several include features whichresemble those of the present invention. Each has proven to be less thansatisfactory in its own way. The present invention has been developedfor the purpose of addressing and resolving these disadvantages. Aprotective barrier for furniture, which prevents objects, pets, andsmall children from entering the space beneath the furniture andprevents unauthorized persons from looking into the space, would resolveall these problems.

Guard device for furniture, U.S. Pat. No. 8,465,101 (filed Jan. 20,2011), provides a rectangular barrier in six sections which extendsaround the entire perimeter of the furniture.

Under bed security barricade, U.S. Pat. No. 7,805,781 (filed May 18,2009), provides a rectangular barrier in four sections which extendsaround the entire perimeter of the bed. The section at the head of thebed provides a vent for ventilation. Each of the four sections iscomprised of two sliding interconnected panels, such that the length ofeach section is adjustable.

Blocking system for pet toys, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.US2009/0174248 (filed Jan. 9, 2008), provides a rectangular barrier in aplurality of sections which extends around the entire perimeter of thefurniture. The system includes sliding members that fit together bothhorizontally and vertically, and can be varied dimensionally bothhorizontally and vertically. In one embodiment, the interlocking slidingconnections are accomplished by a system of dovetailed grooves.

Blocking system for furniture, U.S. Patent Application Publication No.US2011/0209838 (filed Feb. 26, 2010), provides a barrier extendingaround the entire perimeter of the furniture. The system is comprised ofa housing; a barrier band retractable from the housing and a means forlatching an end of the barrier band to a second barrier band retractablefrom the housing to form a physical barrier preventing objects fromgoing under the furniture.

These inventions provide a barrier which extends around the entireperimeter of the furniture, which many users find unnecessary. Suchfurniture is often positioned against a wall, in a corner, or with otherfurniture surrounding it on one or more sides, obviating the need for abarrier on those sides. The prior art is also, in many cases,unnecessarily complex and expensive. The prior art may be poorly braced,allowing it to be easily knocked over or kicked over. The presentinvention, which provides a barrier on the front of the furniture with abroad base for stability, resolves the disadvantages of the prior artand is not anticipated by the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the invention is directed to a protective barrier forfurniture. The barrier is comprised of two overlapping panels, each inan inverted L-shape. The front panel and the rear panel are securedtogether with two posts, extending from the vertical section of thefront panel through a horizontal slot in the rear panel. The overalllength of the barrier is adjusted by sliding the posts in the slot. Theupper horizontal panel of each panel may be secured to the furniturewith double-sided adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastener strips, or otherfasteners which are provided.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth inthe description which follows, and will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Theforegoing general description and the following detailed description areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated into and constitutea part of the specification. They illustrate one embodiment of theinvention and, together with the description, serve to explain theprinciples of the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view of furniture with two examples of the firstexemplary embodiment installed, displaying the barriers 10, thefurniture 18, and the bottom surface 19.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the first exemplary embodiment, displaying thebarrier 10, the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the posts 13, theslot 14, and the means of attachment 17.

FIG. 3 is the front view of the first exemplary embodiment, displayingthe barrier 10, the front panel 11, the rear panel 12, the posts 13, theslot 14, and the means of attachment 17.

FIG. 4 is a left side view and a right side view of the first exemplaryembodiment, displaying the barrier 10, the front panel 11, the rearpanel 12, the vertical sections 15, the horizontal sections 16, and themeans of attachment 17.

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the first exemplary embodiment,displaying the barrier 10, the front panel 11, and the rear panel 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the invention in more detail, the invention is directedto a protective barrier 10 for furniture.

The first exemplary embodiment is comprised of two overlapping panels,each in an inverted L-shape. The front panel 11 and the rear panel 12are secured together with two or more posts 13, extending from thevertical section 15 of the front panel 11 through a horizontal slot 14in the rear panel 12.

The overall length of the barrier 10 is adjusted by sliding the posts 13in the slot 14. The barrier 10 is preferably provided in a range ofsizes, such as 1 inch, 2 inches, and 3 inches in height, and in at leasttwo different lengths. The barrier 10 is preferably 2 inches wide.Preferably, the barrier 10 is provided bearing a coat of neutral grayprimer, such that the user may elect to use the barrier 10 as is, orpaint the barrier 10 in a color which matches or complements thefurniture 17 with which it is to be used. The upper horizontal section16 of each panel may be temporarily secured to the bottom surface 19 ofthe furniture 18 with any means of attachment 17. The means ofattachment 17 may be double-sided adhesive tape, hook-and-loop fastenerstrips, or other fasteners which are provided. Alternately, the upperhorizontal section 16 may be permanently affixed to the bottom surface19 of the furniture 18 with screws or other fasteners. The furniture 18may be moved without disturbing the barrier 10.

To use the first exemplary embodiment, the user slides the posts 13 inthe slot 14 until the desired overall length of the barrier 10 isachieved. The user may then affix the horizontal section 16 of thebarrier 10 to the bottom surface 19 of the furniture 18, using the meansof attachment 17 which are provided. To protect longer furniture 18,such as a sofa or bed, the user may choose to affix two or more barriers10.

The front panel 11 and the rear panel 12 are preferably manufacturedfrom a rigid, durable material, such as plastic, plywood, or particlepanel. The posts 13 are preferably manufactured from a rigid, durablematerial with a smooth surface and significant structural strength, suchas plastic, aluminum alloy, or steel.

Components, component sizes, and materials listed above are preferable,but artisans will recognize that alternate components and materialscould be selected without altering the scope of the invention.

While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one ofordinary skill to make and use what is presently considered to be thebest mode thereof, those of ordinary skill in the art will understandand appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, andequivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. Theinvention should, therefore, not be limited by the above describedembodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methodswithin the scope and spirit of the invention.

I claim:
 1. A protective barrier for furniture, comprising: a. a frontpanel in an inverted L-shape having a vertical section and a horizontalsection; b. an overlapping rear panel in an inverted L-shape having avertical section, a horizontal section, and a horizontal slot in saidvertical section; c. a plurality of posts; and d. said plurality ofposts securing the front panel and rear panel together by extending fromthe vertical section of the front panel through the horizontal slot inthe rear panel.
 2. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the postsare configured to slide within the horizontal slot and the overalllength of the barrier is adjusted by sliding the posts in the slot. 3.The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier is 1 inch inheight.
 4. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier is 2inches in height.
 5. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein thebarrier is 3 inches in height.
 6. The protective barrier of claim 1,wherein the barrier is 4 inches in height.
 7. The protective barrier ofclaim 1, wherein the barrier is 5 inches in height.
 8. The protectivebarrier of claim 1, wherein the barrier is 6 inches in height.
 9. Theprotective barrier of claim 1, wherein the front panel and the rearpanel are manufactured from a rigid, durable material such as clearplastic.
 10. The protective barrier of claim 1, wherein the front paneland the rear panel are manufactured from a rigid, durable material suchas plywood, opaque plastic, or particle panel.
 11. The protectivebarrier of claim 10, wherein the barrier is provided bearing a coat ofneutral gray primer.
 12. The protective barrier of claim 10, wherein thebarrier is provided bearing a coat of colored paint.
 13. The protectivebarrier of claim 1, further comprising a means of attachment.
 14. Theprotective barrier of claim 13, wherein said means of attachment isdouble sided adhesive tape; said double sided adhesive tape beingconfigured such that the horizontal section of the front panel and rearpanel are affixed to a bottom surface of a piece of furniture.
 15. Theprotective barrier of claim 13, wherein said means of attachment ishook-and-loop fastener strips; said hook-and-loop fastener strips beingconfigured such that the horizontal section of the front panel and rearpanel are affixed to a bottom surface of a piece of furniture.
 16. Theprotective barrier of claim 13, wherein said means of attachment arescrews; said screws being configured such that the horizontal section ofthe front panel and rear panel are permanently affixed to a bottomsurface of a piece of furniture.
 17. The protective barrier of claim 1,wherein the posts are manufactured from a rigid, durable material with asmooth surface and significant structural strength, such as plastic,aluminum alloy, or steel.